Speeches and Articles by Acting Consul General Marlene Sakaue

A Regional Tragedy, A Global Solution

Marlene Sakaue
Acting Consul General

(The Chinese version of this article was published by Sing Tao Daily on May 14, 2005, and this article is not for commercial use.)

The Boxing Day tsunami touched Hong Kong in a real and personal way. So many people from the territory have visited places hit by the tsunami. Many, sadly,lost family, friends, and colleagues in the tragedy. The outpouring of public and private contributions to the tsunami victims made the Hong Kong people among the most generous per capita donors in responding to the disaster.

Americans, too, were deeply moved by the images they saw of the tragedy unfolding far away. Ten-year-old Nevin Rae of Solesbury, Pennsylvania, USA, decided to take action. This U.S. elementary school student raised $17,000 from his fellow townsmen for tsunami relief. Millions of Americans have done likewise, reaching into their pockets to contribute more than $1.2 billion to show their continuing concern. As President George W. Bush said, "The United States is committed to helping the people who suffer. We're committed today and we will be committed tomorrow."

The U.S. is working with partners in the international development community -- from the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank to the Red Cross/Red Crescent and international NGOs -- to rebuild infrastructures, restart economies, improve livelihoods, and revive the hopes of disaster victims. Significant efforts are already underway; more is to come. The 12 affected countries including Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Maldives are of course overseeing their reconstruction. But they can depend on the United States and its international partners to support their efforts where it is most needed and in a way that is transparent and fair.

At President Bush's request, Congress has approved $857 million for tsunami relief and reconstruction in the Indian Ocean region. Of that amount, more than a third will go to rebuilding the infrastructure of the affected economies while about $120 million will help victims return to their communities through programs aimed at recreating livelihoods, rebuilding homes, and establishing temporary schools and clinics. We will also use funds to replenish supplies for future emergencies and to improve international and U.S. tsunami early warning systems so that people in this region will be forewarned of pending disasters.

Many of the grants to U.S. government partners and local NGOs were for an initial three to six months and focused significant resources on developing cash-for-work and micro-enterprise activities to generate employment for those affected. More than $6.3 million in grants have been made to support cash-for-work programs. In Indonesia, for example, cash for work programs employed more than 35,000 beneficiaries, providing $2.9 million directly to workers.

U.S. government assistance, however, is more than matched by the contributions of U.S. businesses, religious organizations, academic institutions, and individuals that have provided financial and personnel resources quickly and directly to affected communities. Over 130 U.S. companies each provided at least $1,000,000 in cash, products and services including water purification systems, transport, and basic food, water and shelter to local and international relief agencies.

Equally impressive are the ongoing efforts by individual Americans and NGOs. For example, Habitat for Humanity organized volunteer teams of construction specialists that will help over 30,000 families rebuild their homes. The "Kids Tsunami Relief Fund" in New York City is raising money to help rebuild a school in Pottuvil, Sri Lanka, and a medical clinic in nearby Kirinda.

Not long after the tsunami struck, an Indonesian poet from devastated Aceh province wrote: "Never ask where Meulaboh is. Never ask where Bireuen is…. Their maps have crumbled. Their maps have been washed away." Today volunteers from the American Friends Service Committee are helping figuratively to redraw the maps of Meulaboh and Bireuen, using more than $4 million in donations to meet medical needs and rebuild a wounded society.

These are but a few of the ways in which Americans are showing solidarity with friends in need. Through the continued efforts of our leaders and citizens, the United States pledges to work closely with the United Nations and the international community to ensure a transparent and sustainable reconstruction process, most of all, to guarantee that the people devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami are not forgotten.

(end text)